Now Blood Sample Can Predict Child Autism.

Levels of metabolites found in a blood sample can accurately predict whether a child is on the Autism spectrum of disorder (ASD). Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a predictive algorithm that is the first physiological test for autism. The researchers applied big data techniques and found different patterns in metabolites relevant to two connected cellular pathways (a series of interactions between molecules that control cell function) that have hypthetically been linked to ASD. By measuring 24 metabolites from a blood sample, this algorithm can tell whether or not an individual is on the Autism spectrum, and even to some degree where on the spectrum they land.